Smoking pipe dryer



Oct. 15, 1957 H. G. WASSERLEIN SMOKING PIPE DRYER Filed April 19, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ffenrzy G wassegrzein Oct. 15, 1957 Filed April 19, 1955 H. G. WASSERLEIN 2,809,441

SMOKING PIPE DRYER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W NM Q24 SMOKING PIPE DRYER Henry G. Wasserlein, Joliet, llL, assignor to Wassco Electric Products Corporation, Joliet, 1th, a corparation of Illinois Application April 19, 1955, Serial No. $32,333 4 Claims. (Cl. 34--51) My invention relates to pipes for smoking tobacco or the like, and my invention relates more particularly to dryers for such pipes.

A smoking pipe, after being smoked a few times, generally is laid aside by the user to dry out for a time before being used again, inasmuch as it does not give the same good taste if used immediately again. Such drying to be effective must be allowed to continue for a relatively long time and necessitates the smokers having quite a large number of pipes in order that a dry or fresh one may be available at all times.

it is accordingly an object of my invention to provide an improved dryer for smoking pipes that will dry a smoking pipe in a relatively short time. It is more particularly an object to provide such a dryer that is electrically operated.

It is more specifically an object to provide a pipe dryer of this type comprising a centrifugal blower operated by an electric motor and disposed in a dryer casing so as to draw air into the casing and expel it out of the casing. it is contemplated that the pipe shall be so positioned that the air that is expelled out of the casing passes through the pipe and thus dries out the bowl and stem of the pipe.

It is also an object to provide an electric heater eleient in the casing over which the casing passes so as to become heated, so that the air passing through the pipe dries the pipe out quickly.

it is a further object to provide embodiments of the invention that hold the pipe suspended in the dryer casing or that hold the pipe fixed on the exterior of the casing while the drying is proceeding.

in connection with the embodiment holding the pipe suspended in the dryer casing, it is an object to provide an improved holding mechanism for the pipe comprising a pipe stem receiving collet or grommet which fits in an opening in the upper portion of the dryer casing. It is contemplated that the collet preferably shall be keyed with respect to the casing to hold the pipe fixed with the open end of the pipe bowl directed into the stream of heated air. It is also an object to form the collet of rubberlike material with an upwardly extending tubular part through which the stem of the pipe extends and which is distorted to tightly but yieldingly grip and hold the pipe, the portion of the tubular part holding the pipe being spaced from the main body of the collet so that the latter is not distorted to bind with the casing. In this connection, it is an object to so arrange the collet that it may raise ofl the upper surface of the dryer casing it the pipe is plugged with tobacco residue and blocks flow of the heated air, so that the collet acts as a safety valve allowing flow of the heated air around the collet to prevent overheating of the dryer.

The invention consists of the novel constructions, arrangmeents and devices to be hereinafter described and claimed for carrying out the above stated objects, and such other objects as will be apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments of the inthe air flowing through nited States Patent fitting in the opening 23.

vention, illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an end view of a smoking pipe dryer embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing in particular the pipe holding rubberlike collet of the dryer;

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the electrical circuit used with the dryer illustrated in the preceding figures;

Fig. 5 is a side view, partially in section, of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a side view, partially in section, of a third embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a side view, partially in section of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in the several views.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, the smoking pipe dryer illustrated comprises basically a case 10, an electric motor 11, a blower wheel 12 driven by the motor 11, an electric heater 13, and a collet or grommet 14 of rubberlike material adapted to hold a smoking pipe 15 suspended in the case 10.

The case 10 may be formed of sheet metal and is generally rectangular in cross section, both in plan and transversely, being between two and three times longer than wide, as shown. The case 10 comprises an upper section 16 mounted on a lower section 17 and the lower section is slightly larger in length and width than the upper section, as shown. The upper section is formed with inturned flanges 18 which are fixed to the flat top 19 of the lower section 17. The lower section is formed with in- 7 turned flanges 20, and a thin fibre cover plate 21 is disposed on the flanges to form the bottom of the dryer.

The electric motor 11, which may be of any wellknown type, is fixed on the top 19 of the lower section 17. The blower wheel 12 is fixed on the rotatable output shaft 22 of the motor 11 and may be of any suitable type. As shown, the wheel 12 comprises a plurality of radial, air propelling, vanes 23. An opening 24 is provided in the upper case section 16 above the wheel 12 constituting an air inlet for the wheel 12. A perforated metal guard plate 25 is fixed in the case 10 covering the opening 24 from the inside.

The electric heater 13 is fixed on the top 19 of the lower section 17. The heater comprises a frame 26 of electrical insulating material and a coiled, high resistance, high temperature resistance wire 27 wound about the frame 26.

The case It is provided with an opening 23 in its top surface adapted to receive the collet 14- therein. The collet 14 is generally round, having a round boss 29 The collet has a peripheral flange 30 overlying the top surface of the case 10 and pre venting the collet from falling through the opening 28, and the flange 30 on its bottom is formed with a head 31 to provide an airtight seal with the case it The collet has a hole 32 therethrough and is provided with an upwardly and inwardly extending tubular portion 33 of relatively thin material terminating in an inwardly extending flange 34. It is to be noted that the tubular a portion 33 and the hole 32 are disposed off center, to

one side of the collet 14, and the collet 14 on the other side has a key 35 formed in the boss 29 which fits in notch 36 provided in the opening 28 for preventing rotation of the collet 14 in the opening 28. The hole 32 is of such size as to receive the stem 37 of a common round stemmed smoking pipe 15. The tubular portion 33 and particularly the flange 34 distend and yield from their free so as to flexibly accommodate the stem 37 and provide an air tight seal therewith. It will be noted that the hole 32 in the vicinity of the boss 29 is of considerably increased diameter as compared to its diameter defined by the flange 34, and therefore the distention of the collet by the pipe stem 37 is in the tubular portion 33 and flange 34 rather than in the boss 29 or flange 30, so that the seal between the bead 31 and the case is not affected. The pipe is preferably installed in the collet 14 with its bowl 38 extending toward the key 35 in order that the center of gravity of the pipe is approximately below the center of the collet 14 and the collet sets flat on the case 10 and in order that the air from the blower wheel 12 enters the open end of the bowl as will hereinafter appear.

A perforated metal guard plate 39 is fixed to the top 19 of the case section 17 to shield the heater 13 with respect to the opening 28 and prevent accidental contact with the heater by the user of the pipe dryer.

The lower case section 17- isprovidedwith a pilot light 41) and an on-ofl switch 41 in one end, and an electric supply cord :2 extends into the case section 17 at its other end. Referring to Fig. 4 showing the electrical circuit used in connection with the pipe dryer, it will be observed that the motor 11, the heater 13 and the pilot light &0 are connected in parallel and that the switch 41 is in one of the two leads 43 in the cord 42.

In order to use the dryer, the collet 14 is withdrawn from the opening 28, and the pipe stem 37 is pushed through the tubular portion 33 of the collet 14. Since the collet is formed of rubberlike material, the tubular portion 33 and flange 34 yield to accommodate the stem 37, which is larger in size than the portion of the hole 32 formed by the flange 34 in the unflexed condition of the collet 14. The flange 34 thus forms an air tight seal with the stem 37. It is to be noted that the pipe 15 is positioned with respect to the collet 14 so that the bowl 38 of the pipe extends in the same direction as the key and underlies the key 35. The pipe 15 is then inserted through the opening 28 into the case 10, and the boss 29 is fit into the opening 28 with the key 35 disposed in the notch 36.

Assuming that the dryer is connected to a suitable source of electric current by means of the cord 42, the dryer is started in operation by moving the switch 41 to current on position. The pilot light is thereby lighted, and the motor 11 and heater 13 are energized. The motor drives the blower wheel 12 which now drawsin air through the opening 24 in the case 10 and propels it through the heater 13. The air is thereby heated, and the blower wheel propels it further through the pipe 15, the air entering the pipe bowl 38; and leaving to the atmosphere through the stem 37. The heated air after a short period of time completely dries out the pipe 15, and the pipe is then again ready for use.

In the event the pipe 15 should be clogged with tobacco sediment and the heated air does not flow through the pipe, the collet 14 is raised by the force of the air stream slightly out of the opening 28, so as to allow some flow of heated air. The collet 14 thus acts as a safety valve, so that the electric heater does not cause an unduly high temperature in the case 10. It will be noted that the weight of both the collet 14 and the pipe 15 tend to hold the collet in place on the dryer. Furthermore, since the hole 32 is oif center in the collet 14 and the pipe is inserted in the hole with its bowl 38 extending toward the key 35, the collet is not decidedly ofl balance and ordinarily sets flat on the case 10 in air sealing relationship therewith, so that a blocking of the internal passages of the pipe is necessary to cause the collet to so act as a safety valve.

The pipe dryer shown in Fig. 5 differs basically from the embodiment of the invention just described in that the pipe is not inserted in the case of the dryer but is instead held on the top of the casing. The Fig. 5 embodiment comprises a case 10A essentially similar to the case 10 of the first embodiment but provided with a small opening therein instead of the relatively large opening 28. The same motor 11, blower 12 and heater 13 are utilized. A washer 51 of rubberlike material is disposed over the opening 50 and the bowl 38 of the pipe 15 is sealed with respect to the opening 50 by means of the washer. A leaf spring 52 is fixed to the side of the case 10A and bears on the bottom of the pipe 15 to hold the pipe bowl 38 in sealing relationship with the case 10A by means of the washer 51 which yields due to pressure by the pipe bowl 38 thereon. This embodiment of the invention functions to dry out the pipe 15 by discharging the heated air through the pipe in the same manner as the first embodiment, but with the Fig. 5 embodiment the pipe is completely on the outside of the dryer case, as will be understood.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Pig. 6, like the embodiment just described, provides means for mounting the pipe on the exterior of the dryer case instead of internally. The Fig. 6 embodiment comprises a case 10B having a slanted end 53. A spout 54 having an opening 55 therethrough is formed on the slanted end 53, and a tapered conical washer 56 is provided on the exterior of the spout 54. The washer 56 is of soft rubber-like material, and the pipe 15 is sealed with respect to the spoutby means of the washer 56, the pipe bowl 38 fitting 0n the spout 54 and washer 56 and compressing the washer 56. The motor 11, blower 12 and heater 13 are used as in other previously described embodiments and function to dry out the pipe 15 in substantially the same manner. as the other embodiments, the heated air in this case, as will be understood, blowing through the spout 54 and thence through the pipe.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 7 differs from the previously described embodiments in that the heated air is forced into the stem 37 of the pipe 15 instead of into the bowl38. This embodiment comprises a case 10C which is provided with an opening 57 in an end thereof. A grommet 58 of rubber-like material is disposed in the opening 57, and the grommet has a central opening 5& therethrough adapted to be distorted to receive the stem 37 of the pipe 15 and effect a tight seal with respect to the stem. The heated stream of air in this embodiment of the invention flows in the direction through the pipe which is reverse with respect to its flow in the other embodiments; namely, in the Fig. 7 embodiment, the air flow enters the stem 37 of the pipe and leaves through the pipe bowl 38.

My improved smoking pipe dryers advantageously dry a pipe so as to make it sweet again in a relatively short time, as compared to the time required for drying simply by allowing the pipeto stand in the open air. The dryers may be operated anywhere there is a supply of electric current, and the dryers are relatively simple in construction and may be manufactured economically. The collet 1 .4 inthe first embodiment advantageously acts as a safety valve allowing the release of excessive heat in the event of a clogged pipe. Due to the provision of the hole 32 in the collet off center and remote from the key 35, the center of gravity of the pipe is approximately below the center of the collet 14, so that the collet lies flat on the case 10, and the key 35 assures that the bowl 38 of the pipe remains directed to receive the heated air stream from the blower wheel 12. In the first embodiment, the bowl 38 of the pipe is within the dryer case so that it is subjected to heated air both internally and externally, and this embodiment may be expected to dry out a pipe faster than the other embodiments. With the other embodiments, however, the pipe, being on the exterior of the dryer case, is very easily mounted on the case. The upwardly extending tubular portion 33 of the collet 14 provides a large yielding eflect so that pipes having stems that vary in size within rather large limits are accommodated and air sealed by the collet 14.

Iwish itto be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions and arrangement shown and described, except only insofar as the appended claims may be so limted, as it will be understood to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the principles of the invention.

I claim:

1. A dryer for a smoking pipe comprising a casing provided with air inlet and outlet openings, said outlet opening being formed in the top of said casing, a blower in said casing for drawing air into said casing through said inlet opening and propelling the air, a motor in said casing for driving said blower, a heater device in said casing for heating the air propelled by said blower, and a grommet for receiving the pipe and forming an air tight seal therewith and being disposed in said air outlet opening so that the stream of heated air from said blower and heater device enters the pipe and fiows therethrough for drying out the pipe, said grommet fitting loosely in said air outlet opening so that the grommet may move slightly out of said outlet opening to relieve excess pressure of air from said blower if the pipe is clogged and does not permit an air flow therethrough.

2. A dryer for a smoking pipe comprising a casing provided with air inlet and outlet openings, said outlet opening being formed in the top of said casing, a blower in said casing for drawing air into said casing through said inlet opening and propelling the air, a motor in said casnig for driving said blower, a heater device in said casing for heating the air propelled by said blower, and a grommet for receiving the stem of the pipe and disposed in said outlet opening and holding the pipe suspended downwardly in said casing so that the bowl of the pipe is disposed to receive the stream of heated air from said blower and heater device, said grommet being formed of a rubberlike material and having an upwardly extending tubular portion which when unstressed has a relatively small hole therethrough and which receives the stem of the pipe and is expanded thereby to enlarge the hole as to form an airtight seal with the pipe stem, said grommet having a flange overlying the top surface of said casing and having a boss entering said air outlet opening, said boss and the hole in said tubular portion being substantially spaced so that the expansion of said tubular portion does not expand said boss whereby the boss fits loosely in said air outlet opening and may move slightly out of said outlet opening due to air pressure in said casing to release air out of said casing in the event air cannot flow through the pipe due to clogging of the pipe.

3. A dryer for a smoking pipe comprising a casing provided with air inlet and outlet openings, said outlet opening being formed in the top of said casing, a blower in r said casing for drawing air into said casing through said inlet opening and propelling the air, a motor in said casing for driving said blower, a heater device in said casing for heating the air propelled by said blower, and a grommet for receiving the stem of the pipe and forming an air tight seal therewith and being {disposed in said air outlet opening so that the stream of heated air from said blower and heater device enters the pipe and flows therethrough for drying out the pipe, said grommet fitting loosely in said air outlet opening and the internal opening in said grommet receiving the pipe being disposed off center to one side of the grommet so that the bowl of the pipe may be disposed toward the other side and the center of gravity is approximately below the center of the grommet and the grommet does not tend to tilt in the air outlet opening due to the force of the propelled air.

4. A dryer for a smoking pipe comprising a casing provided with air inlet and outlet openings, said outlet opening being formed in the top of said casing, a blower in said casing for drawing air into said casing through said inlet opening and propelling the air, a motor in said casing for driving said blower, a heater device in said casing for heating the air propelled by said blower, and a grommet for receiving the stem of the pipe and forming an air tight seal therewith and being disposed in said air outlet opening so that the stream of heated air from said blower and heater device enters the pipe and flows therethrough for drying out the pipe, said grommet being insertable in said outlet opening so that the smok ing pipe may be inserted initially through the internal opening in said grommet when the grommet is free of the casing and the grommet having a key formed thereon that fits in a notch formed in the periphery of the outlet opening for holding the pipe properly positioned in the outlet opening for receiving the air from said heater device, said grommet fitting loosely in said air outlet opening and the internal opening in said grommet receiving the pipe being disposed ofli center to one side of the grommet so that the bowl of the pipe may be disposed toward the other side and the center of gravity is approximately below the center of the grommet and the grommet may move slightly out of said outlet opening to relieve excess pressure of air from said blower if the pipe is clogged and does not permit an air ficw therethrough.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS l,639,200 Pitts Aug. 16, 1927 2,444,195 Gruver June 29, 1948 2,447,084 Moore Aug. 17, 1948 2,577,278 Sellers Dec. 4, i951 

